Specialized container

ABSTRACT

A shallow pan to capture fluid from a supported object. The pan is generally circular and includes a sealable radial slot to receive the shaft of a jack supporting the object.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to containers and more particularly to a container useful in automotive and other shop operations wherein a large piece of equipment such as a transmission must be supported by a jack while being disconnected from the other parts of the vehicle. The container fits around the shaft of the jack, capturing any fluids released from the structure supported by the jack.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In normal operations, mechanics working on a transmission or the like, realizing that there will be released fluids, place one or more circular or rectangular plastic containers about the base of the jack to capture as much fluid as possible, but since the fluid-capture device is not contiguous, there are gaps wherein the fluid is deposited upon the floor and must subsequently be cleaned.

It is known to use, around oil wells and the like, devices manufactured in sections which are hinged and/or clamped around pipes to capture spilled oil. These devices are expensive and require an investment in time to be effectively placed around a pipe. Prior art of this nature includes U.S. Pat. No. 1,509,628 to Schuyler; U.S. Pat. No. 2,096,882 to Chernosky; U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,748 to Guyant; U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,485 to Holtby; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,593 to Holtby.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention contemplates a container which is particularly adapted for utilization around the base of a jack, in that it includes a radial slot which extends inwardly from the circumference to a point slightly beyond the center to allow the container to be placed around the shaft of the jack, capturing the fluid released by the object supported by the jack.

The present invention further contemplates that the container wall will extend completely around the periphery of the container and further that a slot which is adapted to receive the shaft of the jack be closed by a flexible seal which allows the shaft of the jack to pass therethrough and yet forms a seal, preventing fluid from escaping at that juncture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a motor vehicle supported by a standard hydraulic lift and wherein the engine part is being supported by a portable jack, such as a screw jack or the like, and further depicting the utilization of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present inventive container.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the present inventive container.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present inventive container along lines 4,4 of FIG. 3

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a vehicle 2 is supported by a standard lift 4. One of the automotive components to be serviced is supported by a jack having a shaft 6 of the jack supported by base 8. Likewise to be seen in this view is the inventive container 10 and a representation of fluid 12 coming from the supported mechanism.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 2-4, wherein can be seen the container 10 includes a rigid upright edge which totally circles the outer periphery of the bottom 15. It is to be noted that the preferred embodiment is substantially circular with a radial slot. Likewise seen in these views is the shaft 16 of the jack extending through a pair of flexible leaves or seals 18 which allow the container 10 to be moved to a position surrounding the shaft and yet have the opening be closed. Likewise to be seen is an opening 20 for draining the pan.

It is to be noted that the flexible members 18 could be located beneath the upper edge of the wall 14 as shown or alternatively be placed on top of the wall forming a more uniform seal, as shown in phantom. Further, it is to be noted that slight modification of the container 10 would allow it to be secured to the shaft 6 at a position closer to the bottom of the vehicle thereby reducing and/or terminating any splash. 

1. A container including a bottom and an integral upwardly extending sidewall along its entire edge, wherein the bottom is substantially round with the exception of a substantially radial slot having parallel sides extending from the edge of the bottom to a point beyond the center of the bottom whereby the container may be placed around a jack shaft to capture fluid draining from an object supported by the jack.
 2. A container as in claim 1, wherein the container includes resilient sealing means along the edge of the slot to close the slot around the jack shaft.
 3. A container as in claim 1 and including an upwardly extending indentation in the bottom to accept the foot of the jack shaft. 